In the month of August, I will be featuring a handful of boutique hotels in Singapore. Personally, I'm a huge fan of chain hotels for the formality and structure they have in place - especially in the loyalty programme aspect. However, boutique hotels being limited in size, can provide special aspects to hotel stays. While it does not generally appeal to me, the level of intimacy in an exemplary boutique property allows the hotel to bridge the gap between staff and guest, revealing an opportunity to make a lasting impression on hotel guests.

Taking a break from the usual hotel chains, here are four boutique properties that I will be reviewing over the next couple of weeks (click on the links to be directed to the hotel's main landing page):

After a comprehensive revamp, the new Lloyd's Inn reopens in Orchard Road (a short walk away from Somerset MRT) as a minimalist boutique hotel. Aggregating clean design elements and only the bare essentials, Lloyd's Inn truly raised the bar for all other boutique hotels in Singapore by boasting an ultimate Lloyd's Experience.

Boasting individually themed rooms, the latest addition to the Hotel Clover brand is the Hotel Clover The Arts. Marrying modern art with thematic design, the hotel serves as an affordable pit stop for travellers who wish to explore more of the Clarke Quay or Chinatown region.

Formally known as the Tarng Chern Building and then the Hope Centre, Wangz Hotel is a five year old boutique hotel that occupies the unique barrel-shaped building. Beyond the intriguing architecture lies an inviting and warm space that is further augmented by commodious room size and great service.

As a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), the Naumi Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel that is located in the heart of the Singapore's CBD. Constantly voted by travellers all around the world as one of the hotels with the best (infinity) swimming pool in Singapore, Naumi Hotel bridges the gap between residence and hotel.